Gak, ok, Quick edit is confusing as all hell. Hopefully this works. Sorry for the confusion folks. Combining chapters is not fun…….

Author's Note

Right. So normaly I'm not a big fan of the author's note, especially if it's before the story, but in this case, I think it's pretty necessary. I'll try not to bore you. Unfortunatley, these may come up frequently with the new introduction of different character types. You'll have to pardon me, this is my first fanfic, and first time working on FF.

First, the story is rated R for language and gore. There are some pretty violent (at least in my opinion) scenes in here, and Ken, among other people, has a pretty foul mouth. If you're sensitive to blood, injury, and bad language, you should probably avoid this fic.

Next: Ken is a ninja in this story. So let me explain a few things that I was unable to work into the story context:

Ninjas probably did not run around in black or/and white outfits all the time. In fact, since they're trying to be inconspicuous, they often went around dressed as samurai. Although they worked in secret in service to their employer or Tomo-sama, they also often held the same high rank as samurai as well. They also often dressed as traveling salesmen, which during this period, equates to men and/or women selling medicine, tea, herbs, etc. There are also rumors of them having dressed as bards as well. At the palace of the Shogunate (as in the head of the Tokugawa government), ninjas were employed as gardeners, to keep watch on the grounds, the guests, and other Shogunate employees. Generally, any disguise which enabled them to carry weapons without invoking suspicion was preferred.

About weapons, as far as I can see, the rumor of the Ninja-to was invented by sword manufacturers. Ninjas did carry swords when they could without suspicion (i.e. dressed as a samurai), but not often. Swords are large and difficult to conceal. This makes them a liability when confronting an enemy, as the element of a surprise weapon is gone. Often, however, ninjas would do things such as keep a wakezashi (the smaller of the pair of swords a samurai carries) in a katana sheath. A wakezashi is smaller, lighter, and unexpected. Ninjas had no qualms about how they killed. 'Any means necessary' was fine.

Now, for some vocab. Sorry about all this…

Shoji : The paper-covered sliding window frames in traditional-style Japanese architecture.

Ryokan : A traditional-style Japanese Inn. In these times, it probably meant more of a public inn than anything else.

-kun, -san, -sama : the –kun prefix is used to refer to subordinates; those younger than you, or beneath you in rank or place of employment. This is why Omi can call the rest of Weiss –kun and get away with it. Technically, he's the highest ranking out of all of them. Often, this term is more of an affectionate or friendly meaning. But not always. The –san prefix simply means Mr./Mrs., etc., and is used as a term of respect, regardless, sometimes of friendship. I'm living in Japan right now, and all my friend's names have a –san on the end of them, and they do the same for me. Finally, the –sama prefix is an honorific that is not used often in Japan anymore. It's equivalent could be close to sir, lord, or lady, but it can also be used by someone who has a deep love or respect for another person. That usage is rare, however.

Jyonin : As I understand it, this is the highest ranking ninja beneath the ninja leader, or Tomo-sama. Not too clear on this, because one of the Japanese teachers here said she'd never heard of it. Although I've come to understand they don't know as much about this sort of thing as well all think they do. looks embarrassed For now, it's staying.

Tomo-sama : The head of a ninja clan, or the man who employs them.

Geisha : Contrary to confusion, Geisha do not offer sexual services, and are highly, highly respected in Japanese culture, as well as socially. Some geisha, even in modern times, have body-guards. They sing, dance, flirt, and play musical instruments. It is their job to be gay (happy and light, people) and entertaining.

Zabuton : The cushions that the Japanese sit on when sitting on the floor.

Haori, Gi, Hakama : The elements of traditional Japanese clothing. Probably not completely correct. Hakama are wide, pleated baggy pants worn by samurai, priests, and those who practice martial arts. Gi, are the white, plain under er…kimono that are worn underneath the Hapori, or Happi, which are the equivalent of a Jacket. Think Inuyasha. Sesshomaru and Inuyasha both wear all three of these items, and then some.

Wakezashi : The smaller sword in the pair of swords worn by samurai. (Called the Daiso, or large-small) It is a bit straighter and shorter than a katana. As a gesture of peace, a samurai was required to leave his katana on a rack at the entrance of most establishments he entered. The wakezashi, however, was worn on his person at all times, thus ensuring his protection.

"Gochisosama deshita" : This signals the end of a meal and one's departure. It means roughly "Thanks for the food, it was tasty.", which sounds lame, but there really isn't an equivalent in English. Kind of like "Yoroshiku Onegaishimasu." Who the hell says "please regard me favorably" in the English language?!

Ok, so that's all for now. Are you still around? Wow. I'm impressed. Sorry about the length. Trust me, I could write a ten pager on all the cultural foot notes for this thing. I'm so in love with Japanese culture. Hence why I'm living here now I suppose… Ok, you've waited long enough. On with the show! Hope you like it!!

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Chapter 1

"A snake slipped away.

Only his eyes having looked at me
Remain in grass."

-Kiyoshi Takahama

It　was　early　morning　on　the　outskirts　of　Edo,　Japan.　The　blood　red　rays　of　the　sun　crept　slowly　through　tall,　narrow　pine　trees,　transforming　the　already　red-brown　bark　into　a　foreboding looking　crimson.　It cut　through　the　darkness　of　the　small　forest　to　fall　gently　upon　the　shoji　at the　back　of　a　small　ryokan at　the　edge　of　the　woods.　It　forced　its　way　through　the　thick　yet　delicate　paper　to fall　directly　upon　the　sleeping　face　of Hidaka Ken.　　

　 He　scrunched　his　eyes　shut　and　wrinkled　his　nose　in　slight　irritation　before　rolling　over　on　the　small, flat　futon　and　pulling　the　blanket　over　his　eyes.　This,　of　course,　only　served　to　leave　his　feet　bare,　which　was　almost　as　annoying.　With　no　fire　lit　yet,　the　air　in　the　room　still　held　the　deep　chill　of　a　mid-autumn　morning.　Ken　tried　to　pretend　his　feet　weren't　cold　in　the　name　of　getting　just　a　little　more　sleep.　He　really should　not　have　had　that　last　bottle　of　sake.　Honestly,　what　had　he　been　thinking?　Certainly　not　that　he　was　going　to　be　up　with　the　sun　the　next　day.　

He　lay　in　the　stillness　for　a　little　while　more,　trying　to　gain　rest　and　comfort　from　the　soft sounds　of　the　woods　and　the　early risers　on　the　street　in　front　of　the　ryokan.　

His　peace　was　disturbed　with　finality　as　the　sounds　of　the　cook　and　maids　going　about　their　business　at　the　front　of　the　inn　increased　in　volume　with　the　ever expanding　sun light.　He　sighed　and　rolled　onto　his　back.

A　muffled　groan　sounded　from　the　general　direction　of　his　lower　right　leg.　Ken　chuckled　and　reached　out　to　gently　whack　a　sleepily　rumpled　mass　of　soft　black　hair.　

"What's　the　matter　Ryuuta-kun?　Can't　hold　your　sake?　he　teased　without　even　having　to　look.　Another　groan,　this　one　less　muffled　and　more　pronounced,　told　Ken　that　Ryuuta　was　probably　glaring　at　him.　

"I　can　hold　it　just　fine　when　I　get　some　sleep　afterwards!　　How'm　I　supposed　to　function　with　a　hangover　at　the　crack　of　dawn?!"　he　grumbled　in　exasperation.　Ken　looked　over　just　in　time　to　see　　Ryuuta's　　dark　head　hit　his　futon　forehead　first　in　tired　aggravation.　He　chuckled　again.　

"Just　like　the　rest　of　us　kiddo.　It　builds　character.　It's only tough　the　first　few　times."　Ken　replied　good naturedly.

"Che." Ryuuta　snorted. " I think　maybe　it's　a　sign　that　we　shouldn't　be　drinking　while　on　business.　Anything　that　causes　this　much　pain　afterwards　probably　shouldn't　be　repeated."　

"Shut　the　hell　up　and　take　it　like　a　man　son.",　another　voice,　this　one　slightly　roughened　by　a　mountain　accent,　rumbled　into　the　conversation.　　"Fuck off　Takehiro!　I　didn't　say　I　couldn't take　it,　I　just　said　it　was　fucking　painful." Ken　chuckled　again,　this　time　joined　by　Takehiro　at　Ryuuta's　　heated　response.

　　　"Well　if　you　can　take　it,　then　stop　bitching　so　much　and　shut　the　hell　up.　Some　of　us　are　trying　to　get　a　little　rest　in　here!"　Takehiro　growled　when　he　finished　laughing.　

"I think　you　all　need　to　shut　the　hell　up　and　have　some　consideration　for　the　rest　of　us."　another　voice,　this　one　somewhat　quieter　and　deeper,　growled　from　the　far　corner　of　the　room.　

"Sorry Yanagi-san."　they　all　replied　in　unison,　somewhat　subdued.　　

Yanagi had become the oldest and most serious member of their group. His family was　one　of　the　oldest　in　the　Kouichirou Village　clan,　and　one　of　the　most　respectable.　Or　it　had　been　until　recently.　Ken　knew　Yanagi's　increase　in　a　more　severe　temperament　as　of　late　was　probably　due　to　the　fact　that　he　hadn't made　the　rank　of　jyonin;　a　first　failure　in　his　family　for　generations.　Traditionally,　the　eldest　son　of　the　Yanagi clan　had　always　made　high　rank　as　one　of Tomo-sama's　jyonin,　but　this　year,　he　had　not.　Ken　had　instead　risen　in　his　place.　It　was　the　first　time　such　an　honor　had　been　bestowed　upon　anyone　in　Ken's　family.　That　Ken　was　at　least　a　good　eight　years　younger　than　Yanagi　hadn't　helped　to　ease　the　embarrassment.　And　it　certainly　hadn't　done　anything　to　quench　the　rumors　flying　around　the　village　about　the　Yanagi　family's　sudden　and　mysterious　loss　of　favor　with　the　　Tomo-sama. As a result, Yanagi　had　been　particularly　irritable　in　the　face　of　having　to　be　on　a　mission　during　which　Ken　was　in　charge;　his　orders　having　come　from　the　Tomo-sama　himself.　Yanagi　had　not　taken　that　very　kindly.　He　had　been　conspicuously　absent　from　their　small　post-mission　pre-return home　drinking　party　the　previous　evening.　Such　an　insult　had　not　gone　unmissed　by　anyone,　and　the　atmosphere　had　been　particularly　strained, despite the soothing presence of several lovely and locally talented geisha to lighten the atmosphere. They still had all drank far more than was likely wise.

Ken　groaned　and　rolled　over,　pulling　the　blankets　over　his　head　once　more.　He　was　not　looking　forward　to　a　day　spent　beneath　Yanagi's spiteful,　jealous　glare.　The　period　of　heavy, uneasy　silence　that　descended　upon　the　room　afterwards　did　not　make　his day　look　any　more　promising.　

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

A short　while　later　saw　their　bleary-eyed,　rough-looking　party　downstairs　in　the　inn　breakfast　room, sitting less than enthusiastically on the forest-green zabuton around the low wooden table as they　wearily　eyed　their　large,　traditional　breakfast.　The inn-keeper's wife and a maid scurried to get them all rice and pour tea, all the while chatting amiably about this and that. Ken listened with half an ear, for although their chatter was boring him, he knew often that local gossip was one of the best sources of information available. He watched his men as he listened and chatted politely with the boisterous women. Nearly all of them were　eating　as　if　they　hadn't　eaten　in　three　days. Only Ryuuta sat and picked weakly at his food, looking slightly green. Yanagi ate slowly and purposefully, taking his time. Ken already knew they would have to wait for him to finish as they had at dinner the last evening. Which should have been unnecessary, as he had been the first one ready and downstairs in the breakfast room. It really agitated Ken that a grown man would be so immature as to let his spite and anger affect everyone instead of simply the target of such emotions. It was an underhanded thing to do and Ken had not expected it from the seemingly stern, professional man.

　It　usually　took　more　than　a　hangover　to　dampen　Ken's　ravenous　appetite　but　coupled　with　the　tense　air　and　his　continuing　discomfiture,　he picked　at　his　roasted　fish　half-heartedly. A shame, as salmon was usually one of his favorites.　He　wound　up　forcing　himself　to eat a tiny bit　only　so　as　not　to　insult　the　innkeeper　or　the　cook by leaving it untouched completely. He　tried　telling　himself　that　he　was　going　to　need　the　energy,　but　somehow,　he　couldn't　help　feeling　that　the　rock　that　had　taken　up　residence　in　his　stomach　was　not　going　to　like any company.　

He　tried　telling　himself　that　his　uneasiness　about　Yanagi　had　much　to　do　with　the　fact　that　he　felt　he　had　betrayed　a　clansman　by　somehow　taking　what　was　rightfully　his.　Perhaps　he　had　been　awarded　his　rank,　but　Ken　somehow　felt　as　if　he　did　not　deserve　it;　as　if　he　had　cheated　the　　Yanagi　family　out　of　an　age-old　honor not to be broken. Yanagi　making　everyone　else　miserable　as　a　result　did　nothing　to　alleviate　Ken's　guilt. Yanagi knew　they　all　had　to　wait　until　he　finished.　Although　he　was　not　ranked　as　leader,　he　was　still　ranked　as　eldest,　and　therefore　was　able　to　command　a　certain　degree　of　respect.　The　act　was　blatantly　spiteful,　which　dragged　the party's 　already　dark　mood　further　downwards.　Ken　was　beginning　to　anticipate　a　fight　from　the　murderous　message　forming　itself　in　Takehiro's eyes as　they all finished eating. All except Ryuuta and Ken, who politely covered all their dishes and gently pushed them back slightly. Ken was sure the inn keeper and his wife would understand.

As he waited,　Ken　tugged　nervously　at　his　haori　and　fidgeted　with　his　wakizashi　sheath.　He　looked　around　sharply　yet　discreetly　to　insure　that　they　were　not　being　watched　or　under　suspicion　after　their　previous　evening's　　activities; the　ones　that　had　taken　place　before　they had gotten　drunk.　The mission　had　really　been　almost　too　easy.　There　hadn't　been　a　single　complication.　All　of　the　intended　victims　were　in　the　correct　place　at　the　right　moment.　Ken　could　have　done　his　job　with　his　eyes　closed.　It　was　this　ease　coupled　with　the　already　tense　atmosphere　that　had　depleted　Ken's　appetite.　He　felt　rather　ill　now.　He　was　lucky　he　had　managed　to　even　eat　the　small　amount of food that　he　had.　

All　morning　he　had　felt　they　were　being　carefully　observed.　The　hair　on　his　neck　hadn't　stopped　standing　straight　up　from　the　moment　he　　gotten　out　of　his　futon.　Ken　hadn't excelled　to　the　rank　on the base of loyalty alone.　He　was　nothing　if　not　incredibly　sharp　and　alert.　His　senses　were　keen　and　astute,　and　they　had　been　telling　him　since　the　start　of　the　trip　that　something　was　off.　The　previous　evening　at　the　tea　house,　　while　the　others　had　congratulated　themselves　on　their　skill　over　sake,　Ken　had　been　drinking　to　dispel　the　nervous　tension　that　was　hanging　around　his　shoulders.　He　　tried　to　tell　himself　it　was　only　because　it　was　the　first　mission　he　had　led　without　the　aid　of　another　jyonin.　One　whom　was　older　with　more　experience. No　matter　how　many　times　or　how　thoroughly　he　checked,　he　could　find　no　threats. Now,　as　they　waited　for　Yanagi　to　finish,　however,　the　feeling　was　stronger　than　ever,　and　it　made　Ken　maintain　a　nervous　grip　on　the　hilt　of　his wakizashi, longing to take up his katana once more. It hung innocently on a rack for swords near the entrance, along with many of the other, mostly-ordinary looking katanas. His　eyes　swept　the　room　once　more　before　glancing　to　check　on　Yanagi's　　progress.

Yanagi　was　staring　at　Ken　in　a　way　that　set　his　skin　to　crawling　along　his　body,　and　a　small　earthquake　began rumbling　in　his　stomach. Not from hunger either.　Ken　swallowed　and　his　grip　tightened　reflexively.　He　suddenly　had　an　odd　feeling　he　needed　to　get　them　all　home　soon.　Yanagi　slowly　went　back　to　eating,　his　eyes　never　leaving　Ken's　face.　Ken　looked　away　after　a　moment,　his　eyes　sliding　once　more　to　their　immediate surroundings.　Yanagi　　finally　put　his　chopsticks　on　the　chopstick　rest　and　pressed　his　hands　together,　performing　a　slight　bow.　This　was　accompanied　by　the　traditional "Gochisosama　deshita."　spoken　solemly, signaling the end of the meal, and their imminent departure. Ken uttered his own remark cheerily, grateful to be leaving despite the fact that he had not touched his food. They　all　followed　his　example　and　rose　as　one　from　the　tatami　and　the　floor　cushions.　Ken　settled　their　debt and made small pleasantries with the inn-keeper.　They　left,　quickly　and　silently　sliding　their　sandals　on　at　the　door　with　long practiced　ease.　To　anyone　who　was　watching,　they　appeared　to　be　a　mid-ranking　group　of　young　samurai, hung over from a night of youthful debauchery.　Anyone　who　came　close　enough　to　discover　the　truth　died before he could speak it. They each picked their swords out from the rack solemnly and fastened them beneath their wakizashis before they wandered out into the bright, cheery autumn morning.

OOOOOOOOOO

A cold　rush　of　air　hit　Ken　full　in　the　face　as　he　stepped　outside.　The　sun,　now　a　bright,　cheerful　yellow　in　a　rare　endless　blue　sky,　failed　to　warm　him.　He　gathered　his haori　closer　to　his　body,　still　discreetly　maintaining　a　solid　grip　on　his wakizashi. Despite the secure weight of his katana hanging back in its proper place, Ken knew if there was trouble he would be able to draw and use a wakizashi that much faster.　His　sharp　vigil　continued　as　he　led　them　through　the　already　busy　streets　of　Edo　towards　the　main　road　that　would　take　them　back　to　the　village　that　lay　a　day　and　a　half　journey's　west. The Kouichirou hidden village.　Home.　His　men　chatted　amiably　behind　him,　laughing　occasionally,　but　Ken's trained　ears　could　hear　the　strain　in　their　voices.　They wanted to get home as much as he did. They　brushed　past　several　gaily dressed　geisha　out　for　a　morning　stroll.　Some　of　them　giggled　and　batted　their　eyes　at　his group　as　they　bowed　a friendly "Good　morning." Ken recognized some of the geisha from their fun in the tea house the previous evening.　His　men　smiled　back　and　bowed　politely,　but　were　not　tempted　to　distraction, despite the recognition.　Ken　felt　a　small　rush　of　pride　in　their ability　to adhere strictly to business when it was necessary, knowing without being told that their leader was on alert.

A　geisha　with　crimson　lips　that　matched　the　brilliant　scarlet　leaves　dancing　around　the　hem　of　her　delicate　autumn　kimono　smiled　at　him　silkily　and　batted　her　eye　lashes　slowly.　Ken　smiled,　and　then　started　as　he　recognized　the　geisha　he　had　been　err... fond of…　the　previous　evening.　He　had　of　course,　been　rather　drunk,　and　his　behavior　had　been　excused　as　such,　but　he　still　could　not　help　the　slight　blush　that　rose　to　his　cheeks. He had, after all, tried to lay in her lap.　She　smiled　knowingly　when　she　saw　him,　and　leaned　forward　seductively.　Her　scent　was　wonderful　and　he　found　himself drowning in it slightly. Here, he thought, was perhaps one of the most dangerous things of all. He wondered vaguely how many men of power and influence, depravity and even insanity had shared their secrets with these women.　Before　he　could　apologize　and　tell　her　he　was　on　his　return　home, and could not afford to be distracted,　however,　she　began　whispering　in　his　ear　behind　the　screen　of　her　finely　painted　silk　fan.　

"Some　elders　should　not　be　respected.　Be　careful　of　the　company　you　keep." Her hand brushed his lightly, and he was surprised to feel a feather-light weight settle into it.　Then　she　was　pulling　away,　and　laughing　gaily　behind　her　fan,　painted blood red,　as　if　she had just　told　a　wonderful　joke.　Ken　felt　the　corresponding　smile　and　laughter　fill　his　face　immediately, and he forced a slightly embarrassed flush to fill his cheeks so as to appear flustered by a non-existent seductive murmuring.　All the while he was wondering　inwardly　as　to　what　she　had　meant.　She　continued　leisurely　on　her　way,　pausing in a slightly odd gesture　to　give　a　bit　more of a respectful　bow　to　Yanagi.　Perhaps in　deference　to　his age. .Ken　watched,　his　inner　sudden　alarm　completely　unrevealed　on　his　face,　as　Yanagi　gave　her　a　hungry,　predatory　look. He glanced discreetly down at his hands. She had given him colored rice. The three hard, colorful seeds seemed to mock him with the message they gave cheerily.

'Traitor.'

Oh, shit.　Ken's early morning　hangover　paled　in　comparison　to　the　illness　he　felt　overcome　him　at　the　sight. This had to be wrong. Not Yanagi.　Yanagi　was　a　clansman, his family bound in honor to the village and the Tomo-sama.　He　would　never　do　anything　to　endanger　them.

But would　he?　

Ken　didn't　know. Why the hell did shit like this always happen to him? Was somebody testing him? What if he made the wrong choice? He certainly couldn't accuse Yanagi openly of so severe a crime. If he was innocent, it would embarrass both of them. If he wasn't, he certainly wouldn't admit it. No matter how much the men disliked Yanagi's recent behavior, they would still have difficulty believing such a heavy accusation with no proof.　

Still, the　fact　that　Yanagi　had　been　passed　over　for　the　position　of　　jyonin　began to stand out　in　Ken's　mind.　That　had　been　no　small　dishonor. And Yanagi was not handling the snub very civilly either.　　

Ken's　stomach　was　about　at　his　knees　as　they　continued　walking.　He　fought　hard　to　maintain　an　outwardly　passive　image.　It　was　a　battle　he　almost　lost　when　a　hand　fell　on　his　shoulder quite suddenly　some　time　later.　It　was　all　Ken　could　do　not　to　turn　around　with　his　wakizashi　out　and　ready　for　business.　He muttered a silent prayer of thanks to any deities that were listening when he found that he'd narrowly avoided taking Ryuuta's head off.　Ken's　relief　was　short　lived, however,　as　he　noticed　the　dark　look　on　Ryuuta's　face.　

"Yanagi-san　isn't　with　us.　Takehiro　noticed　he　was　gone　just　as　we　left　town." the youth　said　softly.　Ken　looked　over　Ryuuta's　head　at　the　rest　of　his　group.　He　could　see　that　all　of　his　men　were　on　a　sharp,　uneasy　alert.　　　

" Is something　going　on?　I　saw　they　way Yanagi　san　was　looking　at　you　at　breakfast.　Did　something　happen　that　the　rest　of　us　don't　know　about?"　Ken　turned　to　look　at　Ryuuta.　

" I don't　know　Ryuuta-kun.　If　it　did,　I　know　as　little　about　it　as　all　of　you.　Does　anyone　know　where　he　went　last　night?"　here　Ken　addressed　the　group.　They　all　shook　their　heads　at　him　grimly.　Ken　knew　better　than　to　ask　them　if　they　had　seen　or　heard　anything　significant.　If　such　was　the　case,　he　would　have known　about　it　immediately.　Ryuuta　shifted　uneasily　from　foot　to　foot.　　

"What　should　we　do?"　he　asked　softly.　What　indeed? Yanagi's　　character　was　becoming　more　and　more　suspicious　in　Ken's　mind. It looked as if his men were feeling the same way. Although that could also be the hangover clinging to their faces. Most of them looked slightly ill still.　He　couldn't　help　but　wonder　if　this　was　a　ruse　to　lure　them　back　into　the　crowded　streets　of　town　where　danger　could　be　less　easily　spotted.　However,　if　they　pressed　on　without　the　man,　Yanagi's　　pronounced　absence　could　be　a　sign　of　a　later　ambush;　one　in　which　　Yanagi　would　not　be　around　to　be　wounded　or　killed.　Finally,　Ken　came　to　a　decision.　He　turned　and　motioned　to　them　to　gather　closely.

"It seems to me that trouble is stirring.　We're　going　to　press　on　as　quickly　as　we　can.　We　must　get back to the village and inform Tomo-sama of what's happened.　He　will　decide　from　there　what the best course of action will be."　He murmured softly, keeping the sound of his voice within only his men's hearing. His hand clenched reflexively around the grains of rice in his palm. 'Traitor.' whispered somewhere in the back of his mind, like the smoke sliding from a pipe.　The　others　nodded　in　a　stern　yet　grim　agreement.　Ken nodded in return. "Good. Keep a sharp watch boys. Expect anything, since we don't know for sure. Don't leave the group for any reason." he intoned sternly.　They　all　nodded　again　and　moved　apart,　some pausing to have a drink or snack, some simply resting on the grass, relaxing beneath the mid-day sun. Ken laughed at Takeshi and Ryuuta's heated bickering, the old man and the youthful boy. It was a laugh that made him feel cold inside.

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It was noon when they stopped again. It seemed to Ken that the after-effects of their previous evening's drinking bout was wearing thin on his men. It was slightly puzzling in the face of all the food they'd eaten. Food usually made him feel better after a hang over. Here it seemed to have made his men worse. Ken studied the position of the sun in the sky and squinted at the road ahead of them. Another fifteen minutes would take them into the shade of the woods. This was a riskier part of the journey Ken had been fearing since Yanagi's marked absence. The woods were an easy place for a waiting ambush to hide, even as it hid his own group from view. It would be an ideal place for attack. It was also the furthest point between villages, in which they were an equally far distance from civilization both behind and ahead of them. If they made it through the woods unscathed, they would be nearly home, and fairly safe from another ambush so close to their own hidden village.

'Unless they've already attacked the village'. a voice in his mind whispered in a hiss. Ken refused to consider the possibility. He didn't even know for sure if they were in any danger, let alone their entire village. Once they had adequately rested, they began moving on at a slower pace than they had taken earlier that morning, and Ken's anxiety seemed to be reaching its apex. He couldn't hide it even if he wanted to now. Ryuuta stayed close to his side, his eyes constantly darting around them, especially around Ken, in search of any sudden or hidden threats. Takeshi stayed close to Ryuuta for the same reasons, although it was obvious to anyone with eyes that he was looking out more for the younger boy's safety than Ken's.

They reached the cool, dark shade of the woods without incident, and continued walking, all on alert. Although Ken was beginning to notice a marked difference in his men. Whatever illness had claimed them this morning seemed to have increased dramatically, and even Takeshi was looking a bit harried and pale.

It was ten minutes later when the first man dropped.

Ken spun around, this time with his katana out and at the ready before he could even think to perform the action, everyone else having followed suit. He could hear Takeshi's heavy, labored breathing beside him, and Ryuuta's fainter, more controlled breathing on his right. Nothing moved. Not a sound could be heard. Everything was peaceful and calm.

Koji lay in the center of the road, face to the side, eyes open in death, lips slightly parted. His skin had become grey in a matter of seconds, horrible dark bruises beneath his eyes. There were no weapons protruding from his body, nor any wounds to speak of, but Ken already knew that there had been no attack. Not from the woods anyway. His sword slid back into its sheath with a sickening hiss as Ken rushed forward to Koji's side.

Dead.

But Ken had already known that as well. He turned slowly to look at the faces of his men; pale, drawn faces, hollowed eyes, and dry, cracked lips. They were dying. They were all dying slowly. Someone had poisoned them.

The breath seemed to stop in his throat as if all the air in his body was trying to get out at once. "Everyone, sit down, and drink some water. It's time for a rest." he said slowly, surprising even himself at the calm strength in his voice. No one spoke. They simply sat resting, in shock. One or two sat near Koji, eyes glassy with ill-contained, unshed tears. Ken would not allow himself the tears yet. He had failed. Utterly and miserably. But he would do what he could for his men. "Can anyone guess what kind of poison it is?" he asked slowly.

" Don't think there's anything we can do boss. S'no good…Even if we did know, it's too late. By the time we figure it out and try to get an antidote, we'll probably be dead if Koji-kun over there is any sign." the lightness in Jiro's voice was so strained it made Ken feel even sicker. He turned to look at the man, unable to hide the pain in his eyes. He crouched down to their level and looked into their faces, opening his mouth to say something only to have nothing come out. It was like a nightmare, and Ken kept hoping to wake up safe at home in bed. Anywhere but here, looking into the faces of death; faces that had followed him so willingly and trustingly. Tears burned the corners of his eyes and his throat swelled painfully, and still, no words would come. How could he say anything? They were dying because of him. Because of his stupidity, they were dying. Ken suddenly wished fervently that he'd been the only one to eat breakfast that morning. He'd have deserved it.

"Will you knock it the fuck off!? The two of you. S'not like any of us saw it coming. We ain't fortune-tellers, or seers, or any other kind of those nut-jobs. We're just men. Hung over men. We didn't think about what we were doing either. Don't flatter yourself by thinking you're the only man who can think for himself here." Takeshi's rough, rasping voice was somehow full of strength, and the hand that thumped Ken companionably on the back nearly toppled him forward the rest of the way to the ground. He choked and righted himself, turning to give a heated denial to Takeshi's attempt to lighten the burden of his own faults, but the fire burning in Takeshi's eyes brooked no argument. Ryuuta made a soft, strangled sound from somewhere behind him.

"You listen to me, Hidaka. I don't give a shit what anyone says, or tells you to do. This is the request of a dying man. You find the sonofabitch who did this, and you fucking make him wish for death, clear? You too boy." Takeshi nodded at Ryuuta over Ken's shoulder. " You find him, and you get some damn answers. Find out who that pansy Yanagi's workin' for, and fucking kill him too. Nobody crosses the Kouichirou clan and lives. " he growled. But the growl was weak, and the fire in his eyes was fading. "Nobody…"he finished, and leaned back, his face drained and pale. There were tears moving slowly down Ken's cheeks, but he didn't feel them as he took in the nods of approval from the rest of his men.

"Make them pay Hidaka-sama. Show them that we aren't weak. Show them that they can't get away with betrayal." someone else called out weakly. Whoever it was, Ken guessed maybe Jiro, ended in a fit of dry, hacking coughs. There was a soft mummur as the sound died away.

" I want Yanagi's head on a pike right in front of my fucking grave, you hear me Hidaka? I'll haunt your ass into eternity until it happens." Takeshi spat. Ken could only nod for several long seconds.

"A-aa. I'll bring it, Takeshi." he managed hoarsely.

"Hidaka-sama?" another, weak voice called. Ken turned to face a younger man, one only slightly older than Ryuuta's youthful 15 years.

"Aa, Chihiro-kun." He replied, rising and crouching by the younger man's side. Judging by his pallor and labored breathing, he would not be alive much longer. A fine sheen of sweat glistened on his forehead as he struggled to speak. Ken leaned forward to spare him a bit of the effort.

"When we d..ie…, you m-must…leave us h-here…" Ken frowned.

"No, Chihiro. Don't you want to be buried honorably? You died serving Kouichirou-sama and your brothers in arms." Chihiro chuckled weakly.

"Later, Ken-sama. If to…f-find….us, they will know…..for certain….that you have survived…if we are gone…and that….is dangerous….we will slow…your journey….find back with more men….l-live t-to seek…..revenge….and bury us…honorably…" Chihiro was choking now, handsome face twisted and grey with the pain. Saliva oozed from one corner of his mouth. Ken shook his head and pressed his fingers against Chihiro's blue lips gently.

" Don't worry, I will. I wasn't going to try and bury you now. I'm not that hard-headed." he assured, the quavering of his voice sapping the humor from the remark. Several more nods of approval. When Ken looked back at Chihiro, his eyes stared emptily at some point through Ken's chest. Ken sighed and closed the youth's eyes with a shaking hand. He made a small, choking sound in the back of his throat, and it sounded like a gun-shot in the silence.

"You still here Hidaka?!....Thought I told you to get the fuck out….find that bastard Yanagi…the hell are you doing waiting around here for us to die for…? Won't do us no good, and it ain't gonna make you feel better…so take the kid and get the hell back to the village….I'll handle things from here…" and Takeshi was standing, grunting, and then swaying unsteadily. Ryuuta was at his side in an instant.

"What the fuck is the matter with you old man!? Sit down before you fall down!" Ryuuta's voice was laced with panic. Ken knew Takeshi could not die in Ryuuta's presence, even though that was the most honorable thing Ryuuta could do for Takeshi. Waiting for his men to die was an honor that Ken wanted desperately to give them. He walked over quickly.

"Sit down, idiot." He groused roughly. Takeshi glared at him.

"Not until you leave." his chin shot out defiantly, and some of the fire had lit in his eyes again. Ken met him evenly, stare for stare.

"I will give my men the honor of witnessing their death in my service, and in the service of Kouichirou-sama." he replied firmly, although the affection in his voice softened the edge a bit.

"Dammit Ken!! You don't have time for this shit! Get the hell out of here before they come down and kill you!! You wanna end up dead like an idiot!? The biggest gods-dammned honor that you're gonna give us is the death of that bastard traitor. Bury us later! I don't fucking want you here wasting your time because protocol says you gotta stay and watch us die! Fuck that! GET OUT OF HERE!!" Takeshi roared, nearly falling into Ken's face as he lost his balance and instead winding up with his nose inches from Ken's own.

Ken stared into those eyes; fierce, fiery eyes, the eyes of every warrior of legend that Ken had heard as a boy. Eyes that flashed lethally at him now, daring Ken to disobey, daring Ken to defy the man who'd stood up to him and ordered him to do what was right. He was startled from the intensity by the light weight of Ryuuta's hand settling warmly into his shoulder.

"Hidaka-sama. Let's go."

Ryuuta's voice was strong and firm, and Ken turned to look at him. He was crying as well, silent tears that coursed down his cheeks, his eyes full of a pained yet determined spark. "Pops here can take care of this. And we're gonna go take care of the rest. We have to. They're asking us to." Ken looked back to Takeshi and then nodded slowly. He looked over the faces of his men one last, final time; committing their, proud, loving faces to his memory as they stared at him with stoic acceptance and love. Several of them nodded at him, and he nodded in return.

"We're leaving. We will not fail you." And then he turned and ran into the forest and away from the easy detection of the road, not once looking back. Ryuuta was at his side the whole way.

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Wow, sorry about all the changes, but for some reason, my Japanese system seems to keep screwing all my documents up a bit. That or can't seem to process it. In any case, combined the Author's note and Chapter one because the Chapter menu was freaking out on me... hope this works....

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